HC Deb 18 July 1996 vol 281 cc628-9W
16. Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance and advice his Department has given the Isle of Wight on coastal erosion in the last three years. [36420]

Mr. Boswell

In the last three years, the Ministry has provided the Isle of Wight council and all other coast protection authorities with(a) written guidance on the strategic approach to coastal defences and their environmental and economic appraisal, and (b) the results of the Ministry's coast protection survey and of the commissioned research programme. The regional engineer has advised on individual proposals for studies and schemes, and approval for grant aid has been given to 13 such schemes and studies at an estimated cost of £4.2 million.